Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD
Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD

Clean Sky 2 - Eco-Design - Eco-Hybrid Platform (EHP)

Figure 1: ‘cradle to cradle’ approach

Within the European programme Clean Sky 2 the Transversal Activity (TA) Eco-Design focuses on the overall ‘cradle to cradle’ approach to design, manufacturing, maintenance and disposal (including recycling), examining the basic elements of materials, processes and resources, and advancing that science in areas of performance across the entire lifespan of those elements. All of this helps to ensure a heightened level of eco-compliance across other Clean Sky Integrated Technology Demonstrators (ITDs) and Innovative Aircraft Demonstrator Platforms (IADPs).

Part of the developments within Eco-Design is the Eco-Hybrid Platform (short: EHP). The EHP integrates Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) results from different Flagship Demonstrators (FSDs) in form of standardized ILCD data (International Life Cycle Data system) in an Aviation Environmental Database (AED). First and foremost, the EHP provides visually interactive means to navigate this data and compare different alternative materials and manufacturing technologies with respect to their environmental impact providing a wide range of LCIA methods building on openLCA and openLCA Nexus.

The user can navigate the complex data structures in the background via interactive 3D proxies (see figure 2 for the 3D proxy of the Aircraft FSD), select LCIA methods and technologies to compare the respective eco impacts to make better informed decisions for the future.  

Figure 2: interactive 3D visualization as proxy to Airframe FSDs
Figure 3: Two alternative milled blisks, one made from Titanium, one made from Nickel (data provided by Fraunhofer IPT)
Figure 4: exemplary impact comparison

Figure 4 shows an example comparison for a blisk (same geometry in both cases), one made from Titanium and one made from Nickel with respect to seven selected impact categories. NB: the com­parison is normalized and shows relative diffe­rences. This example result indicates that Titanium is the more environmental friendly material w.r.t. the selected LCIA indicators. The LCIA indicators are part of the EF 3.0 LCIA indicator group.

In summary, the EHP is a tool with an embedded Aviation Environmental Database (AED) that aims at creating benefits and added value from its stored data by:

  • allowing communication and collaboration for its users on technologies, materials and processes developed in CleanSky2
  • providing visualization of data, relations, and hierarchies for exploring CleanSky2 developments and data from different perspectives and
  • supporting interpretation for analyzing assessed technologies by comparing (aggregated) LCIA results.

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